The 7 best maternity leggings for 2026, tested and reviewed by a pregnant mom of two

I made it through my first two pregnancies without buying a single pair of maternity leggings. I was living in Costa Rica at the time, and at 6'0", already feeling like an Amazon woman in a sea of more petite ladies: Finding the best maternity leggings, much less those that would fit my frame, seemed like more trouble than it was worth. So I sized up my go-to favorite leggings , opted for higher-waisted versions and sailed through without even realizing what I was missing.

But now, a 43-year-old mom of two living back in the States, I'm pregnant with my third and have found myself with a belly that's decidedly more prominent than it was during my previous pregnancies. This time, I've gone all-in on maternity wear and let me tell you: Having the extra support through my midsection has made me a true convert. That said, laying out a lot of cash on options you may use for less than a year is, well, not a fun prospect. And laying out cash on options that roll, fall down, bunch up or otherwise leave you pulling and tugging at your pants all day is also not what you want.

So I went ahead and did the research to come up with a definitive list of the best maternity leggings for every need. As a mom, health editor and certified exercise physiologist, I put 14 pairs of leggings to the test over the course of three months (through my second and third trimesters — all the photos were taken at 37 weeks pregnant). I narrowed it down to the only seven options worth your money, so whether you're lounging at home, running errands or hitting the weights, I've got you covered with leggings that will have your bump covered through your pregnancy and beyond.

Best maternity leggings overall

More maternity leggings we like in 2026

How I tested maternity leggings

As a mom, health editor and certified exercise physiologist, I'm uniquely qualified to understand the pros and cons maternity leggings and assess which ones are most appropriate for different needs and activities.

I sourced 14 pairs of maternity leggings (some in multiple sizes) well into the second trimester of my third pregnancy, putting them to the test for roughly three months. I used them as I live my life — chasing after toddlers, sitting at a desk during work hours, going for long walks, fitting in a range of exercises (yoga, strength training and machine workouts) and doing all sorts of house and ranch work (we live on 17 acres with horses and chickens).

I "squat tested" each pair in front of a full-length mirror to check the opacity (or lack thereof) and I noted any fit issues, particularly whether I found myself frustrated by a sagging crotch or a waistband that wouldn't stay put. Finally, I washed each pair as I normally would, paying close attention to any signs of wear or durability issues.

What to look for when shopping

Whether you're shopping for workout leggings, those intended for daily wear or a maternity-specific variety, the most important factors are how they fit and how you feel wearing them. It may take some trial and error to find the perfect pair, but you'll want to keep the following factors in mind:

✔️ Fit

Leggings should fit like a second skin with minimal need to readjust the waist or crotch as your day goes on. Admittedly, this can be tricky to find, especially during pregnancy when your body is changing rapidly. It's one of the reasons why maternity leggings are typically going to be a better option than trying to force your regular leggings to adapt as your uterus expands from the size of a lemon to that of a watermelon.

✔️ Material

• Synthetic fiberslike polyester are a primary material found in pregnancy leggings. This strong fiber provides durability and structure to leggings, helping prevent them from stretching out or sagging during use. It's also ideal for wicking away sweat or other liquids, providing a "quick drying" feature that you may need during pregnancy (even when you're not working out).

• Natural fiberslike wool and cotton are harder to find in maternity leggings. They don't stretch as easily as synthetic fibers and some features (like cotton's moisture retention) aren't ideal if you find yourself sweating more or occasionally leaking urine. You're going to want materials that are quicker to dry.

• Stretch fibers:Elastane (also called Spandex or Lycra) is what gives leggings their stretch, and is great when paired with polyester or other synthetic blends. While maternity leggings need some stretch to grow with your body as your belly expands, this becomes a balance — too much and you're more likely to end up with a saggy waistband.

✔️ Activity

Are you going to be wearing your leggings to lounge around the house on the weekends, to attend a prenatal yoga class, do more strenuous housework or to hit the gym? Different activities call for varying levels of support and care, so it's important to make sure you're matching your pants with your priorities.

• High-intensity workouts: You're going to need more supportive materials with performance benefits like compression, odor control and sweat-wicking fabrics to help get you through a tough workout. You'll also need more bump and low-back support to keep you comfortable and aligned as you exercise. Options like the Move Mama and After9 leggings featured above are examples of options that are ideal for more intense routines.

• Low-intensity workouts or days running errands:Lighter-weight leggings that are breathable, stretchy and comfortable are good choices for lower-intensity, but still active, days. You'll still want to look for performance features like odor resistance and sweat-wicking/quick-dry construction, but you may not need as much belly or back support and may want to prioritize long-wear comfort over more compressive options.

• Lounge: When you just want leggings to sit on the couch and watch Netflix in, comfort trumps all. Soft, breathable materials with plenty of stretch are where it's at.

✔️ Rise

Rise refers to how high up on the waist your leggings sit. As a general rule, maternity leggings are high rise, although the style of the rise may vary. Some include fold-over belly bands or a cross-over design that's higher in the front or the back. They might also include an adjustable drawstring to help hold the band in place.

Options that allow you to fold over the band or make adjustments to fit as your body changes are likely to offer greater longevity (even beyond your pregnancy) than those without these features. You may also want to consider the support level of the high-rise band. For instance, the After9 leggings above provide substantially more support through the low back than the other leggings on our list without being overly compressive.

✔️ Inseam and length

These are two features that are particularly important to me as a woman who is well above the average height.

• Inseamrefers to the measurement of the seam that runs down the interior of the leg from the crotch to the base of the garment. In a perfect world, leggings would all come in a variety of inseam lengths to accommodate people of different heights. Unfortunately, that's rare, especially in the world of maternity leggings. However, you can use these general lengths as a guide for what to look for in an inseam based on your height and desired legging length:

  • Capri:17–21"

  • Short/petite:23–25"

  • Regular:26–28"

  • Tall:29–32"

  All of the leggings I tested fell within the short/petite or regular range, but I still found a few pairs that worked well for my 6'0" frame. (This is where reading reviews can come in handy before making a purchase.)

• Lengthrefers to the intended length of the product by design:

  • Caprisare meant to hit at the calf

  • 7/8is meant to hit just above the ankle bone

  • Regular full-lengthis meant to extend past the ankle.

  Some of the pants I tested were intended to be full-length, but for me they fit more like 7/8. If the fit still works, despite a difference in intended length versus reality, they can still be a good option for you.

✔️ Opacity

Leggings should never give the world a view of your underwear when you squat down or bend over. The leggings that made the cut on our list passed the squat test (doing a deep squat while wearing the leggings in front of a mirror to see if your underwear show), but if you're out-and-about and shopping, try stretching the fabric over your fingers to see if they show through or go ahead and try them on and do a squat in the changing room.

Other maternity leggings I tested

• Hanes Womens Maternity 7/8 Leggings : While even less expensive than the Hanes leggings with leak protection, these have the same shortcomings (sagging at the crotch and falling down at the waist) without the added leak protection. For that reason, they didn't make the cut.

• Kindred Bravely Sublime Bamboo Maternity & Postpartum Crossover Leggings : While I love Kindred Bravely as a brand, the crossover design that's higher at the back and a V-shape at the belly just didn't work for me. Especially when bending, lifting or otherwise moving around, the waistband was constantly rolling over and falling down.

• Pink Blush Maternity Mocha Ribbed Leggings : These did not pass the squat test. They also just weren't very flattering. They were fine for throwing on under a dress, but not something I would wear on a regular basis.

• Planet Nusa T2 Power Maternity : These ultra-lightweight and breathable leggings should have been a great option for cardio days, but the waistband regularly sagged and after a few washes the seams started to unravel.

• Quince Ultra-Form Maternity Pocket Leggings : While I love that these have pockets, their performance didn't meet the bar set by some of our other favorite options. They sagged through the crotch and had to be readjusted and the waistband regularly folded over.

• Duofit Camo Betty Crop Leggings : There's not much to complain about with these Betty Crop leggings. They're a good choice if you're looking for a shorter pair. But they have some of the same shortcomings of the full-length Duofit leggings featured above — they sag a bit through the crotch and aren't as effective as the ones we featured for higher-intensity workouts or more active days.

• Planet Nusa S2 Power Shorts Maternity : As someone who generally doesn't like biker-style shorts, I actually really did like how these fit. The only reason they didn't make the cut? I have the same durability concerns as I have with their full-length leggings. While I've only washed these once, I worry that the seams will start to fail with more use.

Best maternity leggings FAQs

What maternity leggings 'grow with you''?

Leggings with a good amount of stretch and an adjustable belly band are those that are most likely to "grow with you" through pregnancy. Belly bands that fold over are a good option, particularly if you want the flexibility of a lower rise during your first trimester (and following pregnancy) and a higher rise (with belly support and coverage) during your second or third trimester.

Do you need specific leggings during pregnancy?

My first two pregnancies indicate that you don't technically need specific leggings during pregnancy. However, as you enter your second and third trimesters, you may appreciate the added support of leggings with a higher rise or an integrated belly band. Some of these leggings are also intended to transition with you after your pregnancy, continuing to offer support as your body through your "fourth trimester" and beyond.

Are maternity leggings worth it?  

They can be! A number of high-quality maternity leggings are affordable and can be worn during and following pregnancy, making them a good option if you want extra support and coverage as your belly grows. However, it's possible to "get away" with using standard leggings if they continue to fit correctly throughout your pregnancy and you don't have the budget (or inclination) to purchase maternity-specific options.